The class of 1979 alumni, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Friday handed over a 3-storey building, worth N135 million, to the faculty of Engineering.
Handing over the building to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Igwe, the Chairman, Building Committee, Mr. Obi Iloanusi, and Mr. Ernest Ojukwu, the 1979 Class Prefect, said that the building was erected and equipped at the cost of N135 million by 36 graduates of the class of 1979 to assist the faculty achieve conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“In the spirit of giving back to our alma mater, we the class of 79, known as ‘Agbebi Class’, present this building that is fully furnished, to the faculty of engineering as our little way to show appreciation.
“This building houses a modern library, at the upper floor fully equipped with relevant and current engineering books, as well as computers to facilitate e-Library.
“The middle floor houses offices for lecturers and administrative staff while the ground floor houses two large classrooms. The entire building is equipped with toilets and internet connectivity facilities,” they said.
The class of 79 urged staff and students of the faculty to make judicious use of the building and its facilities so that it would last long and the purpose of its donation achieved.
Speaking at the event, VC Charles Igwe lauded the donors for handing over the building which, he said, contained classrooms, office accommodation, well equipped library, internet and toilet facilities, among other things, saying the facility would go a long way to improve teaching and learning in the faculty.
“I commend the class of 79 for the donation of this well-equipped building,” he said, urging other alumni of the UNN to emulate this good example and remember to give something back to their alma mater that made them what they are now.
Igwe said “Popular and high-ranking universities in the world, like Oxford and Harvard, are giants in teaching and learning because of the huge investments their alumni continue to make on their alma mater.
He urged staff and students of the faculty to ensure that the building was put into proper use as well as see the gesture of class of 79 as a challenge to excel more in academics.
In a remark, Prof Emenike Ejiogu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, thanked the 79 alumni, saying the gesture would create more enabling environment for teaching and learning.
“We thank the class of 79 immensely and our hope is that all classes of alumni will key into this well thought-out development plan for our faculty.
“I am happy to announce that the class of 85 and class of 95 have keyed in and their interventions are already at an advanced stage.
“The faculty has created a Faculty of Engineering Committee on Infrastructure and Utilities, to help coordinate, manage and maintain infrastructures given to the faculty,” he said.
The dean disclosed that the faculty desired to have a Faculty of Engineering Consultancy and Project Execution Unit (FECONPEU) that would engage in projects execution for people in order to generate revenue (IGR) for the faculty.
“This unit will not only generate revenue for the faculty, it will also help in training students and younger staff in hands-on engineering practices,” the dean said.
Some staff and students in separate remark during the event, said the new faculty building was a great relief.
They said it has brought to an end, the problem of office accommodation and internet facilities facing the faculty.
Mr Patrick Akpan, a Senior Lecturer at the department of Mechanical Engineering, said since 14 years he had been sharing office with other lecturers in the facility.
Akpan expressed happiness that with the new faculty building, donated by class of 79, every lecturer now has a personal office furnished with internet access.
“This new building did not only solve the problem of office accommodation alone, it also provided internet facilities that make it possible for us to browse, which was impossible before now,” he said.
Rosemary Igwe, the President, UNN Faculty of Engineering Students Union, said that students of the faculty would forever remain grateful to the class of 79 for providing a conducive learning environment for the faculty.
“Any student in engineering faculty who does not make a good grade on graduation now will have himself or herself to blame,” she said.
